Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Counselling and Guidance for your Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Massey
With the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) you’ll develop knowledge in effective counselling and guidance practice and roles. Already in a counselling and guidance role? Considering moving into this field? This postgraduate diploma will advance your learning.
This diploma is also the first step if you’re thinking of taking the advanced professional qualification, Master of Counselling Studies. In doing so, you will gain professional membership to practise as a counsellor when you’ve completed the Master of Counselling Studies.
You’ll develop knowledge and abilities to prepare you to do research relevant to your existing or proposed practice and profession.
Your qualification options
The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) does not qualify you to be a teacher. Explore education study options at Massey and the qualification you need to become a teacher in our education pathways tool.
Further study
This diploma is the first step if you’re thinking of taking the advanced professional qualification, Master of Counselling Studies. In doing so, you will gain professional membership to practise as a counsellor.
A Postgraduate Diploma in Education in Counselling and Guidance is a good fit if you:
- want to gain recognition and further develop your professional capabilities
- have an undergraduate degree
- are thinking of doing a Master of Counselling Studies.
Planning information
A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) requires 120 credits.
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
This qualification is normally commenced in Semester One because the core courses are double semester, starting in February each year and ending in October. If you want to commence your study in Semester Two, you can start with an elective course. It is recommended that you take 267783 Qualitative Research Methods in Education as your elective if you are planning to progress to the Master of Counselling Studies.
Progressing to the Master of Counselling Studies
If you are intending to progress to the Master of Counselling Studies degree you should complete 30 credits of research methods courses as part of this diploma, comprising any two of the following:
- 267782 Quantitative Research in Education
- 267783 Qualitative Research in Education
- 267741 Indigenous Research Methodologies
- 267740 Mixed Methods Research in Education.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Compulsory courses
Course code: 253750 Counselling Theory 30 credits
A study of the theoretical bases of counselling. The course examines the place of counselling in society, its philosophical foundations, empirical status and major principles. Particular emphasis is given to selected approaches.
View full course detailsCourse code: 253755 Culture and Counselling 30 credits
An examination of the significance of culture in counselling. A multicultural perspective is adopted but with particular attention to the context in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
View full course detailsEndorsement courses
Course code: 253753 Guidance in Education 30 credits
A study of guidance in educational settings. Attention is given to the philosophical foundations of guidance, its social implications, organisation and roles. Intervention procedures for individuals and groups are examined.
View full course detailsCourse code: 253754 Family and Couples Counselling 30 credits
A study of the theoretical bases of family and couples counselling. Attention is given to the concepts of 'family' and 'couple' and to systems theory. The processes of counselling families and couples are examined with regard to various approaches.
View full course detailsUp to 30 credits from any other course from the Schedule to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education or from 147.7xx or 175.7xx courses.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Education, or equivalent; or
- have been awarded or qualified for any other bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and hold a professional qualification in teaching; or
- have been awarded or qualified for any other bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and have professional experience relevant to the intended postgraduate subject.
You will need to provide verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
You may be required to provide evidence of sufficient background experience.
If you hold any other bachelor’s degree or equivalent and have no professional qualification in teaching you will need to provide a copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) to support your application.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Fees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
Our graduates normally work as counselling or guidance professionals or go on to further advanced studies to allow them to work in the counselling field.
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Education
Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
QS Ranking - Psychology
Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for psychology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Related study options
Master of Counselling Studies – MCounsStuds
Massey’s Master of Counselling Studies will prepare you for employment as a counsellor. You’ll join our counselling community, anchored in mana enhancing practices.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz